Development

Derbyshire building firm secures Markham Vale development project

7th May 2020

A Derbyshire based commercial construction company have been selected to work with Transcare 28 Ltd on their new build site at Markham Vale.

Goodward Construction, a commercial construction company from Derbyshire, has begun work on the site which will house a new workshop and offices for Transcare’s onsite and workshop-based maintenance services for commercial vehicle operators.

Goodward Construction’s Managing Director, Simon Knighton said, “We are delighted to be working with the Transcare team again. This time it’s slightly challenging in the current climate, but we have been fortunate to be able to implement the new social distancing measures and our colleagues have been flexible to ensure we have a minimum number of people on site.”

Transcare 28 Ltd provide HGV repair and maintenance solutions throughout the Midlands and into South Yorkshire, offering a full range of onsite and workshop-based maintenance services for all commercial vehicle operators. This includes trucks, trailers, light commercial vehicles and PSVs.

Managing Director, Darren Parkin says “We’re very excited at being part of the Markham Vale community and working with the Goodward Construction team. Having previously worked together and knowing Simon and the team’s high standards, we are looking forward to the completion of our new depot.”

Find out more about the Markham Vale development

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home

East Midland Chamber responds to business rates announcement

7th May 2020

The planned revaluation of business rates will no longer take place in 2021, to help reduce uncertainty for firms affected by the impacts of coronavirus.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick MP has announced that following the recent economic shocks caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the legislation to bring the next business rates revaluation forward by one year, from 2022 to 2021, has been scrapped.

Commenting, Scott Knowles, Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), said: “Although this move will put an end to the uncertainty caused by the planned 2021 business rates revaluation, it won’t address the fundamental issues of our broken business rates system, which have long needed fixing.

“Despite attempts by successive governments to introduce marginal reforms, the current business rates system is still unfair and damaging to businesses of all sizes, sectors and locations. It’s a burden with a high up-front cost, which firms are forced to pay before they make even a penny of profit.

“In the post-coronavirus economy, business is going to be called upon to do much of the heavy lifting to ensure our recovery is both swift and sustainable. So, rather than use the Covid-19 pandemic as a reason to postpone the next revaluation, Government should instead use it as the stimulus to address the longstanding flaws within the current system to make it much, much fairer and alleviate some of the excessive pressure it puts on businesses.”

Posted in Business, Development

Former Chesterfield Register Office to be sold

6th May 2020

The former Chesterfield Register Office has been sold for an undisclosed fee.

A meeting on Friday 17th April 2020 agreed the sale of the former register office and a two-storey house on the site. The three-storey former registry building sits next to the 45-space Beetwell Street multi-storey car park, opposite Tesco Metro and close to the Portland Hotel. It was built in the 1940s and used for four decades by residents registering births, marriages and deaths.

Derbyshire County Council said: “In principle and subject to planning permission, the site is suitable for a range of uses including residential, commercial office, community uses, healthcare or other institutional uses.”

“The site is not in the primary retail area or an otherwise established retail frontage, but could be suitable for retail or food and drink use of an appropriately limited scale.”

“We are advised that Chesterfield Borough Council’s preference would be for conversion and re-use of the existing buildings.”

In 2018, Chesterfield Register Office moved from New Beetwell Street into Chesterfield Town Hall and in November 2018, it welcomed the first families to register the births of their babies.

The new venue offers improved facilities for those who use the Register Office, and will offer a greater choice of rooms for weddings and civil partnerships. The new office is also much larger and includes separate waiting areas for people who are registering a birth to those who are registering a death.

Councillor Carol Hart, Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Health and Communities said:“The register office has been in New Beetwell Street for over 40 years but wasn’t giving us the opportunity to offer the sort of services we want to.”

She also added that the new office in the town hall “will be a much better place to visit to register a birth or death, celebrate getting married or a civil partnership.”

The new register office also gives more space for the historic registers containing entries of all the births, deaths and marriages in Derbyshire since 1837.

Image credit: Derbyshire County Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home

Sister company of Chesterfield Waterside developers signs £150 million regeneration deal

5th May 2020

The sister company of Chesterfield-based Bolsterstone Group Plc, the company delivering the Chesterfield Waterside project, Urbo (West Bar) Ltd, has signed a major £150 million funding deal with Legal & General.

The deal will bring forward the first phase of a Sheffield city centre mixed-use regeneration scheme – West Bar Square, which will deliver large footprint, modern office space, currently lacking within Sheffield’s property market. Once complete it will accommodate up to 1,800 workers, along with residential accommodation and car parking.

Peter Swallow, Managing Director of Bolsterstone Group Plc and Urbo (West Bar) Ltd, commented: “The world as a whole is in unchartered territory at the moment and these are deeply concerning times for everyone. However, the funding deal with Legal & General and the progress we are making with the office accommodation at Chesterfield Waterside are very much positive signs for the UK’s economy.”

“Although the country is currently in lockdown, investors are already starting to look beyond this, which points to an economic recovery sooner rather than later.”

The £150 million West Bar Square phase 1 scheme comprises 200,000 sq. ft. of Grade A office space, circa 350 ‘Build To Rent’ homes, a multi-storey car park and high quality landscaped public spaces.

Peter Swallow added: “ The funding partnership we have agreed with Legal & General will guarantee delivery of large scale regeneration in this important part of the city, linking the rapidly expanding Kelham Island district to the city centre.”

As well as West Bar Square, Bolsterstone’s £300million Chesterfield Waterside scheme continues to move forward apace. Avant Homes has begun construction of 177 new houses in the Waterside Quarter of the scheme, which already have a number of sales reservations, and the company is in advanced talks with occupiers for the majority of the space in the seven-storey office block planned for the Basin Square neighbourhood, which is due to start on site in the summer.

Click here to find out more about Chesterfield Waterside and what it means for the area

Posted in Business, Development

Chesterfield company invent upcycled phone harness to protect mobile phones and the environment

1st May 2020

Chesterfield business, Oasis Studio, have designed and created an upcycled mobile phone harness to help protect mobile phones and the raise awareness of the environmental damage they cause.

As a digital media company, Oasis Studio’s content is delivered on electronic devices, and they wanted to do more to protect the devices their content is delivered on. They invented the Yoyo Grip out of used bike inner tubes to extend the life-cycle of a smartphone, whilst also stopping more inner tubes from going to waste. Oasis’ aim is to stop mobile phones from dropping, cracking and getting lost, in order to extend the devices’ life-cycle as much as possible, and reduce the demand of new phones being created.

Founder and Director of Oasis Studio, Paul Deakin, said: “There are 3.5 billion smartphone users worldwide, with 78% of the UK population owning one. That’s a lot of mobile phones that are contributing towards our carbon footprint, and we felt we had to do something about it.”

“Used bike inner tubes also go to landfill, so we at Oasis Studio decided to tackle both issues head on. The Yoyo Grip is a harness that’s upcycled from bike inner tubes, to save mobile phones and the environment.”

Nick Brown, Managing Director of havebike, a bicycle repair and maintenance company, said: “A product that prevents damage to mobile phones and reducing further waste and consumption is just genius. It’s also a well thought out design that’s very functional.”

He added: “As an environmentally conscious bicycle service company, we’re very mindful of how we recycle waste. We’re delighted to be able to donate old inner tubes so they can be turned into Yoyo Grips. We’re even more excited about stocking the Yoyo grip as a product!”

The Yoyo Grip attaches around your mobile, whilst retaining full functionality of the smartphone including the camera and side buttons. The elasticated cord and utility clip then attach to your wrist or belt loop, to stop your mobile getting dropped or lost. The Yoyo Grip will go live on Kickstarter on the 1st of May and finish on the 31st of May.

Find out more about the Yoyo Grip here.

Click here to find out more about Oasis Studio

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield

New website highlights how Chesterfield’s businesses and service providers are adapting during lockdown

30th April 2020

A new website is helping Chesterfield’s independent businesses and service providers continue to operate and supply their services and products during lockdown.

People are being urged to #LoveChesterfield and use the new website to access the products and services of local businesses and organisations during lockdown.

Developed and launched by Destination Chesterfield www.chesterfield.co.uk/supportinglocal has details of nearly 100 shops, food and drink businesses, training, support and service providers in and around Chesterfield that are continuing to operate by adapting their services to meet the needs of the community.

And Destination Chesterfield wants to add even more businesses, organisations and supports services to the free online directory!

A listing on the website is FREE and Destination Chesterfield is keen to hear from any business or service provider that is offering or adapting products and services in support of the COVID-19 effort.

There are eight categories on the website – Shopping, Food and Drink, Dine at Home, Keeping Busy, Pets, Education & Training, Business Services and Community Support – all combined in an easy to use directory. Details of the businesses and how you can purchase or access the products or services are listed on the site. Business owners and service providers can supply their details free of charge for inclusion on the new website.

Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager commented: “The mission for Destination Chesterfield has always been to encourage as many people as possible to support the town and celebrate its achievements. The resilience that local businesses and service providers have shown during lockdown has been remarkable and we hope the new website will become a valuable tool in supporting them further in their efforts to remain operational.

“We’re encouraging everyone to #LoveChesterfield and continue supporting small independent businesses and service providers throughout lockdown. Every trader and service producer plays an important part in the local economy and we all need to work together to can ensure their survival beyond these extremely challenging times.”

National retailers are currently deluged with consumer demand, causing long queues into both their websites and stores, as well as prolonged delivery times. Shopping local at independent retailers not only supports a small business but also puts money back into the local economy.

If you’re a business owner or service provider and would like to be considered to be included on the new website, please complete the form at https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/supportinglocal/get-involved/ .

To find out more about the new ‘Supporting Local’ site, please visit: www.chesterfield.co.uk/supportinglocal.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

1.4m sq ft North Derbyshire warehouse development launched

29th April 2020

A 1.4m sq ft Horizon29 warehouse and logistics development has been launched in North Derbyshire.

The scheme at the former Coalite works, just off junction 29a of the M1 and part-funded by D2N2, is being developed in two phases and is targeted at occupiers looking to take advantage of the first class location and labour supply.

The project benefited from a £5.8m injection of funds by D2N2 from its Local Growth Fund allocation. The local growth fund is a funding programme that enables D2N2 to invest in projects that benefit the regional economy.

The developers have completed extensive ground works and infrastructure upgrades on this strategic brownfield site and are shortly to start works to improve the local highway network and service upgrades to enable the delivery of development plots in early 2021.

The first phase of Horizon29 was recently granted detailed planning consent for 824,000 sq. ft in five units ranging from 73,000 sq. ft to 310,000 sq. ft. Planning applications are pending on a second phase of 574,000 sq. ft in three units ranging from 113,000 sq. ft to 250,000 sq. ft.

Sajeeda Rose, Chief Executive of D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership said:“I’m pleased to see the first phase of the Horizon29 development progressing well.”

“As thoughts turn to how our region recovers from the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, projects like Horizon29 will be key in supporting our regional economy recovering and creating jobs for our people and communities.”

Gareth Williams, Development Director of St Francis Group, an expert in brownfield development and regeneration, said: “Horizon29 is one of the East Midlands’ newest and most refined industrial developments.

“The project will meet the very best standards expected by today’s occupiers, with bespoke buildings built to meet any specific requirements. The units will sit in a prime logistics environment just minutes from the M1 motorway, making it one of the UK’s most prominent new industrial and logistics parks.”

Nigel Lax, Development Director of iSec said: “As well as stimulating significant local job opportunities, we also expect the scheme to stimulate fresh inward investment in the area, giving a significant boost to the local economy and at 1.4 million sq ft in total, the scheme will play a national role in the ever-expanding logistics market, based on rapidly increasing demand from e-commerce.

“Horizon29 will be opening for business and available to logistics and manufacturing companies looking to return to some degree of normality in the not too distant future and capitalises on an outstanding location close to Chesterfield, Sheffield, Nottingham and Derby.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home

Funding announced for HS2 site in Chesterfield

28th April 2020

D2N2 has approved funding of £2.4m for Chesterfield Borough Council to invest in HS2 infrastructure.

The investment from D2N2 will go towards the development of the Chesterfield railway station area in order to capitalise on the economic benefits that HS2 will bring to the town.

This funding will be particularly beneficial to the area’s future as the local economy recovers from the effects of COVID-19.

D2N2 will be funding the development through its Local Growth Fund allocation, a funding programme that enables D2N2 to invest in projects that benefit the regional economy.

The funding announcement recognises the transformative opportunity that HS2 will bring to Chesterfield and the northern Derbyshire area, which will contribute to the achievement of the East Midlands HS2 Growth Strategy.

Chesterfield Borough Council is leading a partnership which includes Derbyshire County Council, Network Rail, HS2 Limited and East Midlands Railway to bring forward development at key sites in and around Chesterfield railway station.

Previous studies suggest that around £25 billion of the £74 billion growth in the region could come into Chesterfield and northern Derbyshire if anticipated investment decisions are made.

The funding will enable a step-change in developing and delivering Chesterfield Borough Council’s emerging HS2 Station Masterplan, which aims to bring disused sites back into use and maximise inward investment and growth for leisure, businesses and visitors.

D2N2 Chair Elizabeth Fagan said: “HS2 will have a transformational effect, not just on Chesterfield but the whole of our region for generations to come.”

“HS2 will greatly aid our efforts in upskilling our residents to meet the demands of a changing labour market as well as helping us achieve our goal of a carbon-free tomorrow for the region.”

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “The development of the station Master Plan is a significant project for Chesterfield and northern Derbyshire’s economy.”

“Our approach to HS2 has been to seek and develop benefits that will help local people find skilled and well-paid jobs and create a station and a destination to inspire future generations.”

“HS2 is a once in a generation opportunity to transform the fortunes of the borough with the prospect of 10,200 new jobs, 4,700 new homes and an annual uplift of £270 million in expenditure on local goods and services.”

The news comes in the wake of the Government announcement that confirmed the proposed HS2 line will be built in its entirety, with lines beyond Birmingham through the midlands and the north.

Find out more about the plans for HS2 in Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home

Chesterfield Borough Council offers support for commercial tenants

27th April 2020

Chesterfield Borough Council has agreed a package of support for its commercial tenants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The council, which is a landlord to over 400 commercial tenants, is eager to work with them to help them to get through this difficult period and have put the a the following measures in place for those who need support:

Voluntary / charity sector tenants – Rent charged during the period of 1 April to 30 June 2020 will be waived.
Retail, food, leisure and other large businesses forced to be closed down – Businesses who have been forced to close will automatically have the option to defer rental payments for the period of 1 April to 30 June 2020. The sum deferred will be recovered as part of the rental payments made over the following 18 months.
Other office and industrial businesses – All other businesses can apply to the council for their rental payments to be similarly deferred for the period of 1 April to 30 June 2020. Each application will be assessed on its individual merits, taking into account the type of business and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its ability to continue to trade. If agreed, the sum deferred will be recovered as part of the rental payments made over the following 18 months.

The council will be contacting all tenants directly and details of how to apply to defer your rental payments can be found at: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/your-council/coronavirus-information-hub/businesses-information

Councillor Terry Gilby, cabinet member for economic growth, said: “We understand that this is a difficult and uncertain time for many Chesterfield businesses, and we are working hard to ensure that they get the support they need.

“Rebuilding the local economy following the COVID-19 pandemic is a priority for Chesterfield Borough Council. We want to support our local businesses as much as we can to try and ensure their future viability and sustain the large numbers of jobs that they provide for local people.”

For information on business support during the Coronavirus Outbreak visit the Destination Chesterfield Business Support page

Find out how to support local businesses during the Coronavirus Outbreak.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Featured, Home

Chesterfield technology company launches Virtual Graduate Fair to support students and universities

24th April 2020

Inspired to find a solution for graduates and students affected by the coronavirus pandemic, Chesterfield technology company Oasis Studio have developed the ‘Virtual Graduate Fair’, allowing students to showcase their skills online to visitors around the world.

The online system allows students to display videos, images, and documents within their own custom CGI exhibition stands, all of which can be viewed by potential employers at the click of a button.

Up and down the country, the coronavirus pandemic has forced cancellations and postponements of everything from exams to graduation ceremonies. As a result, students are missing out on one key element of graduation – an end of year show and the opportunity for students to showcase three years of hard work to friends and family, the community, and most importantly, potential employers. A recent report found over 60% of students now have reduced confidence in their post-graduation job prospects.

The event also allows universities to promote the high standard of work created within their halls and allow their graduates to stand out from the crowd as they prepare to leave education and enter the competitive world of work.

Paul Deakin, Director of Oasis Studio, explains: “Competing for your first job after leaving university is difficult at the best of times. The Virtual Graduate Fair allows universities to continue offering the typical end of year shows and graduate fairs which have been threatened this year by COVID-19”.

Paul added: “We hope more universities will see the value in helping their graduates to promote themselves to a much wider audience – and add a bit of an extra boost to their career prospects!”

Oasis Studio is currently in talks with a number of universities, with graduates of creative degrees expected to be among the first to trial the platform.

Click here to find out more about Oasis Studio

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield

Work to begin on Chesterfield’s Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre

24th April 2020

Work is set to begin on the new Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre next week (27 April), to ensure the site is available for local businesses to move in to at the earliest possible opportunity and benefit the local economy.

Chesterfield Borough Council’s contractor, Robert Woodhead Ltd, will take control of the site and begin groundworks on part of the Holywell Cross (Donut) Car Park in Chesterfield town centre as preparation for the construction of the new Enterprise Centre.

Developing a thriving borough continues to be a priority for the Council and that includes supporting the business community during the COVID 19 outbreak and into recovery. Robert Woodhead Ltd have completed assessments ahead of the work beginning and have confirmed they will follow strict COVID 19 social distancing guidelines to ensure the safety of employees and the public.

Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic growth, said: “We appreciate there may be concerns around any construction activity starting in the town centre right now, given we remain at a key stage of the national response to the COVID 19 outbreak.

“The contractor will be working to the latest Construction Site Operating Procedures published by the Construction Leadership Council in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

“With these essential works progressing safely we hope to minimise any delay to the start of the main build and ultimately its completion. This major construction project will also help contribute to Chesterfield’s post COVID 19 recovery with the council’s requirement for Robert Woodhead Ltd to source local labour, supplies and equipment.

“The project will result in high quality, flexible, office space being made available on easy-in and easy-out letting terms to businesses just starting out or looking to grow their company here in Chesterfield.”

Tom Woodhead, Business Services Director at Robert Woodhead Ltd, said: “Over the last few weeks, we have been working with our industry peers, government and industry bodies to understand how the government guidelines and CLC Site Operating Procedures can be implemented on construction sites.

“We have developed stringent operating procedures, risk and method statements to enable us to start on site to deliver this exciting project in collaboration with Chesterfield Borough Council.”

Groundworks are likely to take around eight weeks to complete, running from the end of April onwards. Whilst these works are taking place the building design will be finalised, supplies of materials ordered and sub-contractors hired. These activities will put the project in a good position to proceed to full construction later on in the year.

The new Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre will accommodate a range of businesses within 32 office suites. It will also offer access to outstanding shared facilities and local business support services.

The new centre is an important addition to Chesterfield Borough Council’s commercial property portfolio and will hopefully be a key component in Chesterfield’s post COVID 19 recovery.

The Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre project has benefited from grant funding support from the Sheffield City Region Investment Fund.

To find out more about your business being based in the Enterprise Centre email either claire.cunningham@chesterfield.gov.uk or hannah.ramsdale@chesterfield.gov.uk.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Made in Chesterfield